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SCRATCH BENEATH THE SURFACE

Introducing this month’s Legend:

Brandon Douglas

For truck drivers, it is my personal obligation to redirect any misconception of how these men and women are perceived one Legends article at a time. The need for dependable drivers will never cease, given the demands of our economy. Even when freight slows down, the bottom line is that an engineer in the seat of each vehicle is imperative. To recognize the value of greatness needed behind the wheel and bestowing that opportunity should not be available to just any willing participant. At one point, when that responsibility was gladly accepted by truck drivers it came with a sense of pride. They were in a way, warranted as our highway heroes. Somehow, over time our appreciation on the level of respect chart has dropped dramatically.

As a mother and wife, I’m an avid shopper. Meaning my life would not be functional if it were not for the truck drivers across our country constantly transporting essentials that I need daily. I understand that their schedules continue throughout the night while I sleep at home in my own bed. I can’t make my way through downtown traffic in a storm without getting nervous, but most professional truck drivers can manage to safely maneuver a truck and trailer out of dangerous snow blizzards with a steady hand.

Each of my articles highlight a selected driver or team, nominated for their efforts of displaying positive conduct, a commitment to being a good example, and for their overall presence among his or her work force. Most importantly, their performance and acute attention to provide top-notch service has gained the recognition of their peers. I like that we can remind our readers that the honor that filled the hearts of our truck drivers’ decades ago still lives today. We simply need to shine a light on them for those unaware.

This Legend comes to us from the beautiful farm lands of Wyoming. At the surface, you will meet a hard-working professional that is extremely reliable and is as honest as he is persistent. Dig a little deeper, one may label him as a challenge seeker. Even then, his competitive side will shine through and the ambition needed to succeed in his shoes can be found there: beneath the surface.

The few layers that define the identity of this Legend result from the traditional upbringing as a rancher’s son, added years spent in the military deployed to different locations around the world, topped with a strong history tied to the trucking industry. He is friendly, yet reserved. His delivery of manners is packed with respect, mirroring the image of dignity matured during his time in the service; all rounded into the well-polished truck driver we know today. As a company driver, his numbers of years on paper underestimate his experience within the business. With his skills and perseverance dedicated to his craft in the field of transportation, we can only hope to gain more qualified professionals that attain his strength of character.

A Cowboy at Heart

Brandon Douglas was born in Rawlins, Wyoming. As a large rural area, populated by open farm lands and mountains his father embodied the definition of a cowboy. He was a farmer and cattleman true to the core. He also did rodeo, which Brandon admired, but didn’t pursue until his later days. Brandon grew up helping his father work the ranch as a young child, when he was not even old enough to attend school yet.

His mother’s side of the family introduced the dynamics of trucking into the picture. Her parents were in the transportation business and ran as a team. Brandon’s uncles also drove trucks for a living. Beginning at five years old, Brandon proved that he was a natural. He was comfortable operating all types of farm equipment, tractors and eventually the family farm pickup, pulling horse trailers. Given it was just a mile along the fence line, he was still driving. He explains, “My dad and uncle would have me drive the truck down to open the gate so they could come around and unload.”

When Brandon was 11, his family relocated to Arkansas. His grandfather was diagnosed with terminal cancer and wanted to return to his home state. The whole family followed suite to care for Brandon’s grandmother once he passed. “We still lived on a ranch and farmed, the only difference there was that it was much hotter,” he said.

“I’ve always been a country kid. I love horses and cows; all of it. After we moved to Arkansas I began showing cattle and did well at it. I went on to win several awards, like the Arkansas State Fair.” Throughout high school, Brandon excelled at football, but being raised as a country cowboy much of his time always reverted to driving trucks and farm work. That included working for a local rancher, delivering loads of hay as a teenager. He recalls driving a semi-truck with his grandfather, “It wasn’t exactly legal since I was only 16, but I’ll never forget it. We were in a KW900 with a 550 Cat in it. The thing with my grandfather, he dressed nice all the time. He wore starched pants and a starched shirt. He would stress to me the importance of looking and acting professional. To be presentable in the way you dress and the way you conduct yourself. I’m still that way today.”

Brandon continued to show cattle throughout high school and went on to college. In which he then ended up on the National Junior Angus Board of Directors. It was a two-year term and by his second year, he was elected the Vice Chairman position. During that time, he traveled all over the nation helping young children within the industry. His job was to mentor students and help kids competing at shows. Serving on the Junior Board, Brandon’s path seemed clear in which direction he was headed… but he had other plans.

Challenge Accepted

His move back to Wyoming didn’t come as a surprise. However, his decision to join the Marine Corps did the trick. When I asked him what prompted him to choose that specific branch, his response was simple. “Because it’s the hardest. Everyone said that I couldn’t do it and was pushing me to continue where I was at with the Board and all. Then I took it as a personal challenge.” On January 8th, 2001, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps through the delayed entry program.

October 15th, Brandon left for boot camp in San Diego, California. He started off as a helicopter mechanic; then became a crew chief, AG (Aerial Gunner) Qualified. He was deployed on several assignments. Some regular, others combat. One deployment he spent a year and a half traveling through 19 different countries, ranging from Australia to China. Later he was deployed to Iraq in 2004 to 2005, when he was then stationed in Okinawa, Japan at the Marine Corps Base. The following January, he returned to the states for his next MOS training.

Brandon attended seven weeks of Marine Corps Recruiters School in California. Once completed, he requested to be assigned the Recruiting Substation Cheyenne, in hopes to return home to Wyoming. He received the next best thing and was sent to a Marine Corps Recruiting Substation in Nebraska, that was attached to the Cheyenne location. Brandon remained there until 2008, when he was offered an NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge) position in Rapid City, South Dakota. December of 2009, Brandon moved to Oklahoma City to run the Recruiting Substation of Oklahoma City South as the on-staff NCOIC. July 24th, 2011 was Brandon’s final day of service.

Over his 12-year span with the U.S. Marine Corps, Brandon faced many challenges and rose to the occasion each time. The freedom of travel that trucking provides, takes him back to his time spent half way around the globe. Being a Marine inspired a new and fresh element of bravery within himself that he may not have experienced had he not chose to enlist. He says, “If I had only one piece of advice to share and of all the things I say, if people would at least listen to me on this, it could change their life… be unafraid to try something new. I have been to all kinds of different places in this world. Some are a complete wreck. I’ve seen a lot of bad things, but also a lot of good out of people. Step out and try something new and then hold yourself to a higher standard. That’s where you will excel at life. Pushing yourself to be better when nobody is looking. It sounds easy, but you’d be surprised. Getting out of your comfort zone, not knowing if you’re going to succeed or fail, that scares people. Not me though, I’m always up for a challenge. Like getting into this truck and rolling down the road. I knew how hard my family had to work in this business. Well, that’s all I’ve ever done. Why slow down now?”

Settling in Nicely

With the eyes of a Marine, after encountering life-changing events that this world threw at him only to be engrained as a reoccurring memory stuck on repeat, made the transition back to civilian life extremely difficult. The actions and way of thinking to those that have been exposed to more grandeur circumstances have a separate mindset. Brandon describes it as a way of going through life with an absolute purpose.

When his time serving as an active Marine was up, finding a career that played to his strengths didn’t leave many options. The idea of an office position no longer appealed to his genetics out of uniform. A more physical job outside and away from a desk with four walls suited him well. He landed in the oil field with his own truck and tools, along with the independent space he enjoys. The money was good, but the pressing hours began to take a toll on him.

After four years, he made the switch to running over the road for a company based out of Oklahoma known as, Melton Truck Lines pulling flatbed. Trucking is to Brandon as a means to decompress. He says, “I get to be alone when I’m in my truck. I like that independence of being my own boss. I still get to travel and work hard. I wanted to do flatbed because it’s not easy. I can’t sit and just swing a door open. With a tarp I have to do the work, think, and constantly stay aware. Raised in the country, we always drove a flatbed pickup. Dad would stress about securement. Then, in the oil field everything is round and comes off easy. So now, when I’m strapping and chaining I think of my daughter. My thoughts go straight to her! Knowing that she is on these roads, nothing is coming off my truck and hurting anyone.”

Brandon is currently in a 2017 Kenworth, running 2 weeks out with 2 days home. He was recently a Top 10 Finalist to receive the award for Rookie of the Year, with Melton Truck Lines. He was also in the running for the Transition Veteran Award presented at GATS. His future plans to grow a fleet are being considered, but for now he keeps his focus on his five-year-old daughter, Brecklin and enjoying where his life has led him to today.